Last Updated on October 12, 2021 by Anne-Marie

Here's an easy healthy apple pie filling recipe that's ideal for recipes like apple pie, cobbler, and even as a topping for ice cream! It’s so tasty that no one will realize that it’s sugar free.

Why this recipe works

What’s terrific about this recipe is that it doesn’t require special equipment. No stockpot and canning equipment. Not even an Instant Pot or slow cooker.

You cook it up right on the stovetop in only 10 to 15 minutes.

All you need are apples, lemon juice, salt, spices, sweetener, water, and corn starch.

Since there's no flour and no butter, this recipe is gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan.

Ingredients

• cooking apples
• lemon juice
• Swerve Sweetener, Brown
• corn starch
• ground cinnamon
• ground ginger
• ground cardamom
• sea salt
• water

How to make healthy apple pie filling

1. Place the chopped apples, lemon juice, and 1 cup water in a bowl. Toss to prevent apples from browning.

2. In a medium saucepan, whisk together sweetener, corn starch, spices, and 1 cup water until well blended.

3. Add the chopped apples to saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring frequently until the mixture starts to boil.

4. Turn down the heat to medium. Simmer for 10 to 12 minutes, stirring frequently to get rid of any lumps. Cook until the apples are tender but not mushy. If the mixture gets too thick, stir in 1/2 cup of water at a time until you reach the desired consistency.

5. Allow apple pie filling to cool before using in most recipes.

6. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

FAQ

Can I make apple pie filling without cornstarch?

Yes! If you need to avoid corn products, here are some options:

● Use rice starch or fine rice flour. Both are terrific, gluten-free products that can be used to thicken stews and gravies.

● Try tapioca starch. I’ve read that you use twice as much tapioca starch than cornstarch, so 1/2 cup in this recipe.

That sounds like a lot, so maybe start with 1/4 cup and work your way up.

If the thickener is making the apple pie filling too thick, add more water.

Is this sugar free?

Yes, this is a sugar free apple pie filing recipe because it uses Swerve Sweetener, Brown.

It's a natural, no-calorie sweetener that tastes great with no funky aftertaste.

If you’re not comfortable with using a no-calorie sweetener, use regular brown sugar.

Flavor variations

You can adjust the spices in this filling recipe to your personal tastes.

If you like ginger, add more! Dislike cinnamon? Leave it out.

Add some lemon zest or a pinch of cloves.

Best cooking apples

I choose Gala apples to make my pie filling recipe. Since they’re naturally sweet, I knew I could use less sweetener.

Use this handy guide of the 12 best apples for baking from Midwest Living. Here are five of the most popular:

1. Jonathans
2. Honeycrisp
3. Granny Smith
4. Golden Delicious
5. Gala

How to peel, core, and chop apples

What equipment do you need?

To make this fruit filling recipe, you’ll need:

● a cutting board

● a paring knife,

● a chef’s knife,

● and a vegetable peeler.

● Using an apple corer makes life much easier when cutting up a bunch of apples, too.

Watch this video from LifeHacker on How to Peel an Apple for some handy apple chopping tips.

Size of the apple pieces

For my Gluten Free St. Patrick’s Day Pot of Gold Filled Cupcakes, I cut the apples into small pieces.

For a homemade apple pie recipe, cut the apples into larger pieces.

Can you freeze apple pie filling?

Yes. Cool the filling in the refrigerator. Then pour the filling into a freezer bag, squeeze out the excess air, then seal.

Label and date.

To thaw, place the bag in the fridge overnight.

Use healthy apple pie filling in these recipes

Here are some serving and recipe suggestions using cooked pie filling:

● homemade apple pie, of course

● yogurt parfaits

● ice cream a la mode served with warm apple pie filling

● handheld apple pies, also called apple hand pies

● on bowls of oatmeal

● stuffed pork chops

● stuffed muffins

● Crockpot Apple Cobbler

● stuffed crescent rolls

● and more!

What will you use your batch of sugar free apple pie filling in?

Originally published on February 26, 2016. Updated with new pictures.